300 and Diamond Point

Yesterday we went out on the Forest Road 300 that goes along the rim by Payson. It was so beautiful and we had a blast!! Kevin, Michele, Brady and I all happened to have Saturday off together so we planned to go do something fun!! It was nice to get away and enjoy time with them. The weather was beautiful and it didn't start to rain until a few miles from the paved roads. It was so nice!!

We actually went swimming after lunch but since I stole these water pictures from my sister-in-law, I put them first. This is Knoll Lake and unlike most lakes in Arizona it is actually pretty good size!!
Jaylee finally started to loosen the death grip she had in the lake towards the end of our swimming!!

She only wanted to hang out with mommy in the water!! Sorry Daddy!!

Kevin and Brady played with Adam and he was working on his swimming and splashing Auntie M and J-Bug the whole time!!

Adam and Kevin

Michele on the drive up to FR300

The guys getting the BBQ going for lunch

The Stump- All of the kids took a turn standing on this stump next to the picnic table where we had lunch. Jaylee was trying to get up the nerves to jump off by herself but she's a little chicken sometimes and wouldn't do it!!

Adam is King of the Forest!!

Jaylee is Queen of the Forest!!

Brady got the watermelon stuck in the cooler!!

Michele came to his rescue

Jaylee kicked back and relaxing-she has a rough life don't you know!!!

Brady took the kids on a little nature walk adventure!!

I think this picture would look cool in black and white or sepia tone.

Jaylee sitting on the table-she thinks things are different when you're out in the forest or something!!

Jaylee hanging out in the jeep

I was trying to get Jaylee to go near the butterfly's but she was more interested in crawling over the wood!!

This is me holding this little guy. We're not really sure if it's an actual butterfly or a moth, we're saying butterfly. It was kind of cool though!! I was able to hold him but he wouldn't go to Michele for some reason. Maybe he liked my sunscreen!!

Michele found this cool little butterfly patch. It was way cool and we both got some cool pictures from it!! All of the Brown that you see on the green is mostly butterfly's!!

Michele took this one but I stole her picture!! Me and my little butterfly friend!!

I was trying to not move and take pictures at the same time!! But some of them turned out really good!!

Aunt Michele trying to hold the butterfly

Yes that is Jaylee driving below!! Uncle Kevin spoils her!!

The view from the top

This wasn't a planned stop but we were driving by the entrance and decided to check it out since most of us hadn't been there. It's way cool and Uncle Kevin took us to a great place where we all found a bunch of them!! It was dark but the diamonds would reflect off the light really well!! It was cool!!

Brady in the trees looking for any diamonds

KB turns 4

Happy 4th Birthday KB!!
KB is our real first child. Well on the 16th, she turned 4 so we went to breakfast to celebrate!! Here are her stats at 4-
Size-Still at her perfect height of 16 inches
Weight- still at the right amount of huggability!!

KB and J-Bug sitting in the rockers outside of Cracker Barrel where we had breakfast

J-Bug and KB sharing a seat!! Glad to know that they can share with each other!!

Brady and KB

At least J-Bug is fair with how she treats everything smaller then her!!

Happy Birthday Nanny!!(yesterday)

So yesterday the 14th was Nanny's birthday!! I meant to do this yesterday but got busy and didn't have a chance to do it. Sorry it's a day late but we still Love you just the same!! Here are just a few reasons we love you...
We Love you because you are the mom to our favorite guy!! Thanks for being such a wonderful mom!!

We Love you because you invite your family to join you in things that you are invited to!! You are so generous and thoughtful!!

We Love you because you are an incredible cook!! And you love to make so many yummy meals for your family!!

We Love you because you'll go along with our crazy ideas!!

We Love you because you put up with this goof-ball!!

We Love you because you take time for each of us individually!! You are so sweet and so caring!!

We Love you because your a little adventurous and like to have a good time!!

We Love you because your family is so important to you and you spend time with them!!

We Love you because you are patient with everyone especially this little 2 year old!!

We Love you because you married Poppa and together you guys are a perfect pair!!

We Love you so much and hope you had a wonderful birthday!!

Ranch Chicken Pizza

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE pizza!! However I don't like Red Sauce so I tend to stay away from it!! There is this place in Utah called The Pizza Factory that I LOVE that I have been trying to get their recipe for their Garlic Ranch Chicken Pizza. I have never found it(smart move on their part) but I did find a copy of their menu that mentions most of the items on their pizza. So I decided to try it out. It's not theirs but it is really good and I thought I'd share it with all of you!!
I cook the chicken in a little olive oil with fresh garlic and some DeVerle's All Purpose Seasoning, then it gets cut into little chunks.
The crust I use is...
1 1/2 cups hot water
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp RapidRise yeast
3 1/2-4 cups flour
Combine water, sugar, yeast, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Then I put in on a floured counter and knead it for about 3-4 min. I cut mine in half and have enough for 2 good size pizzas. The recipe doesn't say to let it raise but I do because last time I used it, the dough didn't seem as soft. So I let it raise this time and it worked better. From here I roll out my dough and make the crust. I bake my dough for 5 min. by itself at 375 degrees. I pull it out and start to put the toppings on it.
The toppings from the Garlic Ranch Pizza at the Pizza Factory are...
Homemade Ranch-I bought the Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing packet that you mix with Mayo and milk.
Chicken
Roma Tomatoes
Red Onions
Bacon
Mozzarella Cheese
Provolone Cheese
and a dash of Cheddar Cheese
I also added a little fresh Parmesan cheese since I had a little left from another recipe.
I then cook it for another 5-8 min. and there you have it!!
It's way good!! Well I think anyways!! Hope you guys try it and like it!!

Number 18 is on it's way...

So I've known this for awhile but I was sworn to secrecy that I wouldn't say anything until I was given the okay!! Well this morning I was finally given that. My little brother Keith and his wife are expecting baby number 3 which brings my number of kidlets up to 18!! I am so excited!! I can't wait!! The baby is due in December(great month if you ask me, especially the 1st)!! I guess Brady and I need to get on the ball since we both want another baby!!
Anyways, Congrats Keith and Mandy!! We are excited to meet this need kidlet!!

It's the 4th of July! It's the 4th of July!!

Our 4th of July started REALLY early!! We were up and at Kohl's by 5:30am for an A-Team event. We went and helped out at a race they were having over in Prescott. From there we went home and played games while J took an early nap. Then when Brady left for work, J-bug and I left for Cottonwood to hang out with the fam. for a little while!! J was spending the night at Aunt Steph's since Brady and I both had to work on Sunday. It was a nice day but REALLY long!! I am so grateful for the freedoms that we do enjoy and for the many people who have made that possible!! I am proud to be an American!!

Cindy (with Ashley in the background) working hard!!

Brady and Jaylee-who knows what she was upset about!! It was really early when we woke her up to get ready for this so she was entitled a little to being in a bad mood!!

Brady and Marilyn-can't you tell they are working hard!!

Our Little flag girl!! She looked so adorable to bad she is still to little to wear the dress I made for her!! Maybe next year!!

Aunt Steph, Uncle Jason, Nikki and Lizzi just before fireworks.

Uncle Kevin, Aunt Michele, Adam and Brian right before fireworks!! Kevin was setting off Fireworks for the Cottonwood ones too!! My brother-in-law Jason got some killer pics of it!!

J and I saying Happy 4th of July!!

Brady is becoming quite the little BBQer. He made us some steaks and baked potatoes!! It was YUMMY!!Brady and I had a great night watching fireworks!! They let them off over at the park behind our home so we sat out in the front yard and watched them!!

J isn't a huge 4th of July fan yet!! She totally dislikes the fireworks and poor Aunt Steph had a 2 year old with a death grip around her neck for the entire fireworks display!!

Little Vacation to Laughlin...

Well one thing is for sure, we didn't go to Laughlin to get out of the heat!! It was 112-115 degrees every day that we were there. I have no idea how people live in that kind of heat!!
We went from June 29 through July 1 really it was the 2nd by the time that we got home!! We had a great time and it was really nice to get away for a few days!!

Lizzi and J-Bug
J loves her cousins and some days more then others. Well this whole trip seemed to be a Lizzi moment with her. There were a couple of times that J told Aunt Steph off for Lizzi getting into trouble and then she'd be sad with her. They just seemed like buds more then ever during this trip.

We found one of those Penny souvenir things and decided it would be fun for the kids to each make their own. Brady helped J with hers and she clutched on to that thing for dear life once it was finished!!

Daddy helping J crank her penny to a new design

J showing off her finished product!!

Our hotel, Tropicana Express. Thanks Grammy and Papa for hooking us up!!

I just loved this picture from our trip. She was looking out a huge window at the car show and she looked back at someone.

I have NO idea why this girl LOVES ice cream so much!!!

Nikki, Adam, Lizzi, Jaylee and Brian
It was mostly these 5 for the trip until the last day when Eric's kids arrived.

Jaylee and Grammy

Uncle Jason, Lizzi, Jaylee, Nikki and Aunt Steph on the Boat

On the Boat Ride-Jaylee turned her head just in time to get out of the picture!!

Jaylee leading Papa up the River Walk. When he started to leave, Jaylee went running after him saying "Wait, Papa!!" then she pulled him along the River Walk and showed him what she wanted to look at!!

Me and my first love!!

All the Kidlets that were there. We were missing our Aly girl and Logan!!

Adam, Jenise, Nikki, Brian, Jaran, Easton, Lizzi and Jaylee